Mysore Zoo - Shri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens Mysore - Part 2

Mysore Zoo or Shri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens is one of the oldest zoo in India. It is home to a wide range of wild species and takes the credit for alluring vast number of visitors with its rich breed of flora and fauna. Mysore Zoo is a must in the itinerary for sightseeing in Mysore. Mysore Zoo is a pleasant experience also because most animals are kept in well spaced enclosures and it’s a delight to see them move around freely. The Mysore zoo abounds in natural vegetation cover and comprises of various rare species of plants & trees that are hard to find some where else. It is located inside the city unlike many other Zoos in India and Mysore Zoo is considered to be one of the best and oldest in the world. The Mysore zoo is over a century old and has an interesting history of its own. Sri Chamarajendra Wodeyar had a vision to create a well laid-out city amidst the gardens, and founded the world famous Mysore Zoo in the year of 1892. The Mysore Zoo which has now spread over an area of 250 acres was initially meant for the exclusive visit of the royal family but public entry started as early as 1920. After India attained freedom, the Zoo was presented by the then Maharaja to the Department of Parks and Gardens of the Mysore State Government. Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens or Mysore Zoo is located at Mysore in Karnataka state, India. This garden was set up by Maharaja Chamaraja Wodeyar and was acclaimed as one of the architect of modern Mysore.

Mysore Zoo (officially the Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens) is a 245-acre zoo located near the palace in Mysore, India. It is one of the oldest and most popular zoos in Southern India, and is home to a wide range of species. Mysore Zoo is one of the city’s most popular attractions. It was established under royal patronage in 1892, making it one of the oldest zoos in the world. While mainly depending on entry fees for its financing, an adoption scheme introduced in the early 2000s at Mysore Zoo has been a success, with celebrities, institutions, and animal lovers contributing directly to the welfare of the zoo inmates. Mysore Zoo was originally created in 1892 on 10 acres (4.0 ha) of the summer palace of Maharaja Chamaraja Wodeyar, and was originally called the Palace Zoo. The zoo was originally set up by G.H. Krumbeigal, a German landscaper and horticulturist. Over the next 10 years the zoo was expanded to 45 acres (18 ha) with spacious enclosures that are still in use.
The zoo was opened to the public in 1902, and now includes a bandstand and an artificial lake. It was gifted to the Department of Parks and Gardens of the Mysore State Government in 1948. The zoo was expanded first with another 50 acres (20 ha), and then another 150 acres (61 ha) with the acquisition of the Karanji Tank (Karanji reservoir), in which an artificial island has been created as a sanctuary for birds. The zoo was handed over to the Forest Department in 1972, and was entrusted to Zoo Authority of Karnataka (the first autonomous organization in India to manage a zoo) in 1979.

Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens houses a variety of species not only of this country, but from over forty countries in the World. The Maharaja in his travel abroad collected rare animals from different countries and brought them to the zoo's collection. Animals available in the Mysore forests were exchanged for the animals procured from other countries and as a result acquisition of a large number of animals of different species was possible. It has beautiful landscape with good vegetation cover resembling to that of natural environment. Many animamysore ls which are imported from countries like Africa, America, and Australian countries. Mysore Zoo is among the few in India exhibiting African elephants, and the only one to breed them. Mysore Zoo was the first in the country to obtain gorilla and penguin’s. The Mysore Zoo is not just a place of recreation, but is also serving as a good educational center for imparting knowledge on conservation of wildlife. Mysore Zoo is supporting the conservation of endangered species through coordinated breeding and rehabilitation. It is also credited with achieving considerable break-through in captive breeding of many animals.

Mysore, Maisuru in Kannada is the second-largest city in the state of Karnataka, India. It is the headquarters of the Mysore district and the Mysore division; it lies about 146 km (91 mi) southwest of Bangalore, the capital of the state. The city is spread across an area of 128.42 km2 (50 sq mi) and is situated at the base of the Chamundi Hills. According to provisional results of the 2011 national census of India, the population of the city is 887,446. Hinduism is the major religion among the inhabitants of the city. Mysore City Corporation is responsible for the civic administration of Mysore. Mysore is notable for its palaces including the Mysore Palace, and the festivities that take place during the Dasara festival when the city receives a large number of tourists. Mysore lends its name to the the Mysore style of painting, the sweet dish Mysore Pak, the Mysore Peta (a traditional silk turban) and the garment known as the Mysore silk saree. Tourism is the major industry in the city; information technology related industry has emerged as a major employer besides the traditional industries. Without a functional airport, Mysore depends on rail and bus transport for inter-city connections. Mysore was the location of the first private radio broadcasting station in India. The city houses Mysore University which has been associated with several notable names particularly in the field of Kannada literature.